As the day soon changes to afternoon, Jackson looks at the time in the Embassy lobby and couldn't believe it was already past 12. “Geez, it's afternoon already?! And I missed lunch!” Elizabeth just lightly smacks the back of his head. “My Lord, you spent the entire morning playing that brain rot machine of yours. So much so you’ve even ignored time passed. I hope thee make amends for this.” as she crossed her arms, the blonde remembered what was on the screens of the computers and shrugged her head. “Leave it to the Humans to play war even in their freetime.”
He just gives her a smile which makes the Queen sigh almost immediately, not even putting up a wall as he looks to the Elven Noble. “Well Admiral, I’ll take up your offer then.” he turns around and opens the door. On the front yard of the Embassy, a coach that’s embedded on its doors has the seal of the Elven Naval Air Corps. Another Elf, wearing an all white Toga proceeded to open the doors for them as the suspension of the luxurious wagon swayed softly and calmly as they.
“Tredlu, take us back to our home, please.” The Elf just hops back onto the driver seat and they begin their trek to the Upper District of Elvennur. Since the UN Embassy was far from it, they had to cross multiple blocks and deal with a bit of traffic but Jackson didn’t mind it at all.
With extravagant polish and a bountiful of colors to look at at the many buildings that surrounded him, he could stare out the window of the coach no matter how much lagging speed there was on the trip.
Though there was slowness, it was never enough to truly hinder the time. The miniscule amount of it spent on riding slower was also used by the party in basking at the afternoon dealings of the citizenry of the Empire. Most just prepared their shops for the night whilst some select places were already closing.
“Huh, that’s pretty early.”
“Ah, those must be specialty shops. Yes, they’re mostly open by the first light of Phorus and when it hits the center top, their orders would already be full and they’d spend the rest of the day fulfilling these.”
“Interesting. You Elves really spent a lot of your time perfecting things, don’t you?”
“I could say the same to you, Vampires. I was in your Capital a few months ago in Winter. I must say, the architecture of it was truly magnificent. A bit too brutal in some cases but I do prefer its foreign style. The balance of functionality and beauty. We Elves, as you see, tend to prefer Beauty over anything else. But it can never be truly met, and if needed. We sacrifice functionality if it means adding character to an object.”
“I can see that lot, yes. But if I may ask, what made you love flying in the first place? Is it some bloodline thing or the books about Dragons that you’ve read?”
“A question I’ve been asking myself since I was born. I guess it's just freedom really. When I joined the Air Corps, I never felt so free, so… unburdened by my duties as a Son of the Trenthaus. I found peace when I was amongst the clouds, flying with my alloy wings out. I’ve trained and trained in the academy so that I may efficiently use my magic and fly longer than others could ever hope and thus, I broke records after records.” The Elf was seemingly bright, brighter than most Elves on the outside.
“The Dragons, ohhhh, the Dragons. Such magnificence. A creature that owns all, conquers all, and eats all. The Dragons of Threa has long been met with much aire, as the Demon Kings constantly made stronger and stronger opponents. But yet they continue to fly our skies, delivering and helping. I do not know what else I can say about my infatuation with them.”
“Interesting, and where did your love for them exactly come from?”
“It was really when I was but a child that I learned of the Dragons. Soaring high and in the skies, they’ve been here since the Age of the Gods. So strong and magnificent were their wings that to this day, they roam with us even after all abominations and mutants that were brought upon us. I soon taught the now Emperor Daresh about them, and I believe seeing how he reacted last night. My obsession has infected him too and he then gave it to the now Radiant Empress.”
“Yeah… about that. The Emperor said you trained him alongside the other Generals?”
“I did. I taught him about the parts of Flight and tactics of the Skies. He is not like his Father nor most of the Daresh lineage as they inherit an entire Empire, they tend to be more proactive and emotional. He is like an ant hill compared to those mountains of charisma.”
“Though… I think he does carry more charisma than the way they used to do things… I don’t know. He spoke so lightly and respectfully it put me a bit off. There’s a kind of strength to this demeanor. One that scares me more than a loud and rapid firing speaker.”
“Ahahahaha, that is just how he had grown up. Lord Daresh has always been the type to read history in silence. It’s quite odd, how one could wilt so much presence yet show so little. I’m proud of how he had grown up and I hope I’d be there to see him and the Empress go to Alioloc and return to our original state as Great Elves.”
“I still find it so insane that there’s a physical heaven Elves can go to. There’s nothing more that can make me jealous as a Human than not having assurance.” Jackson just sighs as Elizabeth gently stroked his back and the Admiral looks to the Dragon quietly looking out the window as they pass building by building. “By the Gods and the Love of Forrus… To think such an innocent and motherly face could be that of a Dragon, a primordial apex predator undefeated even by the forces of time and of the cosmic armies.”
Bahamut’s face then turned to him and her golden eyes sparkled wildly. “I don’t actually look like this, Long ear. Remember that. My true body is on a scale that is beyond comprehension now. This is just an outlet of my personality if anything.” The Dragon then swiftly turned her face again to the outside.
“If you were to meet me in the Void, the Hapless Abyss. I might not even notice your presence as anything more than a meager ant. This body, it brings out the best of my personality. The horns that decorate my head are nothing more than a showpiece.” The Admiral just silently bowed his head as he repositioned his body in anticipation.
“My Religion might be open to all, but it's better suited to Warriors such as yourself. My rise to Godhood is proof that if you fight hard enough and long enough, you can reach heights with your body you never knew were possible.'' She crosses her legs and arms, the black leather Eldwood General coat making her slender and small shoulders seem big and wide. As if it was a cape of pure shadow. “I wonder, are you willing to go far? To push your love for flight till you meet an untimely end? The Dragon Cult of Bahamut is not for the faint hearted.”
“Goddess, flying is my life. That is why I hold the rank I do now. If I can shed this skin and become a Dragon myself, I am willing to sacrifice it all even for just a moment to feel what it's like to have the wings of such a divine beast as yourself.”
“You put too much on us Dragons, Long ear. Remind yourself that not most Dragons rise to become like me. Though this is our destiny, most never reach it. Most die of untimely deaths or by their own volition. Not seeing the hubris of their actions and the limits of their bodies.” Her eyes then swiftly turned to Jackson whose head occasionally followed something on the sidewalk.
“And a Dragon's soul and form is something that cannot simply be recreated. Man and Demon had long tried to copy our perfect form and ended up making the horrific Wyrms.” This made Thydis lean in and his eyes, adjective in its attention to her. “I think Master knows the horrors of these malformed creations the best as he is but a Human when we fought one.”
“Bahamut also had not added the fact that you are to be paid handsomely by what remains of the Dragon Kingdom. We did it for it paid well. It’s also a sanction hunting by Albion himself. One of his last orders actually.”
“And one may want to become a Dragon for our bodies are the most easily transformed into a God. But many fail to conjure the absolute raw primordial recipe needed to make our form and soul.”
Thydis though on the other hand crossed his legs and his head tilts to the leftward direction. “I find it quite amazing that there are many parallels to both our worlds, that might be why you were summoned here alongside many.” He then turns his head, facing rightward this time, focusing his attention on the shiny city outside of the glass windows. “In this world’s written history, only a single species has managed to reach Godhood through pure effort alone. They were never destined to become one like Dragons or Elves. This person… tainted with the blood of a Dragon said something to us Elves that to this very day, we hold a grudge against.”
“This is… Deus Vrax right?”
“Correct, General. His mother is an Elder Dragon who married a Noble Human Knight. Though they came to live in a small village soon after, leaving the life of luxury and removing the titles they rightly earned after being crushed by the pressure both the Dragons and the Humans were putting on their child who was born with immense skills and gifts.” The General’s eyes slowly widened a bit as Alana and Elizabeth all looked up to the ceiling.
“He became a mere farm boy that destiny and the fates sought after and when the great demon horde came, he became the first to show us. You need not a God to slay the King of all that is Evil.”
“I’m more impressed by the fact that you are taught the history of the Holy See’s Saviour.”
“But why of course. This is still history after all. It's a known fact, and a true one at it. Even though we Elves do not want to accept this, that it is a Human of all things that reached Godhood before us, even though the Emperor’s bloodline has traces of the Divine… well, it's a spit to our efforts. We do as Forrus asks us, we go back to Paradise to continue serving the Gods… yet a Human with renegade parents outdone us?”
“I get that but this has grown to levels that normal Humans are affected.”
“General, do you know the origins of wars?”
“It's usually when two dipshit politicians from side A can’t get enough of side B.”
“Pfft. That is an awfully simplistic way to view things. General, as an Admiral of olden age. I’ve outlived entire Noble Lineages and wars do not happen for such reasons. It all starts at the very birth of a nation.” Tilting his head, Jackson’s eyes squinted into a serious look. Making Thydis smile in return. “Do you think all our border disputes with the Humans started when Gareth became a Kingdom? Preposterous. It started way before it. Long before I was born, when the Empire was but a collection of eighteen Elven Kingdoms.”
“Then that must mean all nations on this planet and even my planet have a reason to fight and invade then.” The Admiral nods. “Indeed, but it is to the extent of how willing your people are that makes the difference.” Thydis then opens his palm and shows a crudely drawn Empire alongside the border with Gareth.
“The only reason why there’s no war right at this very border right now is because of the people. People get tired of war after its fervor runs out. We Elves are the same in that regard. But…” Jackson then cuts him in. “But after a few years or decades, tensions will flare up once again as people are ready to fight… am I right?”
“Ahahahaha, you catch on fast, General. Indeed and to think this stemmed from a conflict that occurred way before even I was born. And it will never stop till one side wins fully. This is why we’d like to conduct research on Island Nations and how having a lack of land connection forces these wars to go inside rather than out.”
“Well, believe me. You're onto something with that. It's not uncommon where you’d treat a person from a village two kilometers away as if they live a hundred instead and from an entirely different culture just because they say two or three words differently.”
“It's amazing isn’t it, General? The dynamics of all these wars and the root causes of it. Only children and the unlearned would think it's something recent. No. Wars are born alongside the birth of the nation.” He just looks out the window and squints as the sight of the tall buildings leave and massive compounds overtake the area. “Yet somehow, we Humans can make it seem like yesterday.”
The Admiral just smiles as they turn into the driveway of a huge Mansion with two floors that's adorned with wide open balconies with arches. The place was huge, with the front yard alone being as large as the Embassy itself. Servants were everywhere in the place, trimming the garden and maintaining its many statues while an entire formation of Maids and Butlers were on the front door.
Awaiting him was an Elven woman who was only a tad bit taller than Bahamut. She had long silvery hair and wore a tiara alongside a glistening white gown. On her left was a more lively girl who sports the same color of hair as the Admiral but had bright orange eyes in a Toga that seems to have a mix of a more modern gown to it. Her wavy hair was the complete opposite of her mother’s, straighter than a ruler and the Toga she wore was something in the middle.
Whilst the one next to her, a young Elf wearing a well ironed cadet uniform. With a silver hair and blue eyes that’s the same as Thydis, he had a stoic yet handsomely cute face. The short hair he had only puffed his look to become a mixture of soft and sharp.
Stopping before the front door, the Mansion they live in looked more like a museum than a place to go home and rest. There was golden decor strewn about the pillars and the walls while expensive vases were littered on the front porch.
Opening the door, the Elven woman smiles at Thydis as she follows it with a light bow.
“Welcome home, dear. I believe these are the Guests we are expecting?” he nods with a grin. “Yes dear. Please, do bring them to the living room. Malik, Avarnia. Present yourselves.” The two younger Elves then stepped forward as Jackson and his party exited out the coach.
The first one being the young Elf wearing a cadet uniform. With well combed and pompous hair and strong stature that holds the same light as Thydis himself. “I am Cadet Airman Malik Uythe Trenthaus of the Ulrig Airman Military University, Class of the Ninth. Pleased to meet you Sir and Madams.” Then came the woman. She was just as prim and proper as the young man, but her vigor was a bit more out there compared to the more strict and rigid son. “Avarnia Uythe Trenthaus of Ilmonth University of Business. I am currently on vacation and will return soon to Oceanowa to continue my studies. I am very happy to be acquainted with you sir, and the ladies.”
The two Vampires then turned to Jackson who stepped forward and removed his cap. Putting it under his armpit as he greeted the two younger Elves with a warm smile on his cold skin. “I am Five Star General Paul Jackson of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the United Nations Military Arm. I am currently here on a Diplomatic mission.” the young Elves eyes sparkled upon hearing this while Elizabeth stepped forward. Lifting the seams of her purple gown which had been eyed by the mother since she got out.
“You may address me as Carmilla. I am a Duchess of the Voltaire House.'' The family tilt their head at the short and quick introduction but Alana then steps next to her and elegantly bowed. “I am Countess Alana le Minuit of Manor Chaîne de Montagnes of House Minuit. Heir of the Minuit Domainee. I’ve come with my aide, Duchess Carmilla to the United Nations for diplomatic purposes on behalf of Lord Jackson.” the daughter’s eyes then widened. “My! Then you must be the one responsible for such fine wine!” She quickly walked to the Countess and bowed. “I am very excited to know more about you, Countess!” Alana replies with a smile as Bahamut who had wandered off to a path next to the main one gains everyone’s attention as she fake coughs.
“Ahem, ahem. I am Bahamut! Primordial Dragon of the Void, Owner of the Abyss. I’ve come to be with Master and make sure he doesn’t get himself into any trouble!” Her uppity demeanor while wearing a business blouse and a pencil skirt whilst touting a large black leather Eldwood General coat caused an air of awkwardness as she was so sure of herself with her valiant pose. The rest of the Trenthaus family just looked at each other and then bowed to the Dragon.
The silence which beckons them was broken by the mother. “Oh my! I forgot to introduce myself. It’s been so long since I had to. I am Lady San-gath Uythe Trenthaus. Wife of Air Admiral Thydis Trenthaus the Third. I am pleased to have you in our home. May I ask where your luggage are?”
“Later. I’ve still to order the UN to transport our personal affects here as this has been sudden. The spontaneousness of the Elves is still very new to me.”
“Ah, very well. Please, do follow me.” She then politely turns around as the party follows her to the living room.
Inside, there were lightbulbs already invented, alongside strips of lights on the bottom of the walls. Lighting up the corners, giving some presentation of the flower vases they keep there. The tiles were in the color of brown and gold as arches made of pure polished brass denoted the entrances to rooms.
And right near the entrance were two huge living rooms. There, four Sofas were facing each other with a glass table in the middle as the tiles below and above were adorned with art and carvings. They were led to the right one where the entire Trenthaus family sat on the two sofas and Jackson’s party on the remaining ones. The Maids on the other hand were busy handling out glass of water while a Butler was on standby, holding a frozen cold wine bottle.
Sitting down, Lady Trenthaus and her motherly allure was in full swing. Though youthful, she had an air of maturity alongside it. “Goodness, Miss Carmilla. That purple gown of yours looks truly exquisite. I couldn’t take my eyes off it the moment you arrived within our gates, the laces are so well placed and the intricate details on the gown bodice is immaculate even from afar. I can only imagine the corset underneath.” she then tilts her head and rests it on her hand, sighing. “My… to have the lace on the front even and to let ones’ bust be exposed. Such fashion… and what material are your stockings? Is it Silk?”
Elizabeth smiles warmly as she shows her pretty face in full expression. “My stockings used to be made out of fine silk. But I’ve found nylon to be more functional but not a sacrifice of the style. Though this ensemble of mine is not even the most elaborate in my wardrobe. I have one of Crimson Velvet Silk. This one is meant for more daily use." Everyone just stayed quiet as the two women chatted.
Their voices alone radiate an amorous tone that exudes into every crevice of the room. “But the purple color though… You must truly be a Duchess of the highest level to afford such luxuries in bulk.”
“Please, Lady Trenthaus. Your pleasantries are well received, but this is an old ancient piece of cloth that has long lost its allure.” the wife then shrugs. “Mayhaps for you, but the new age style of gowns are becoming quite popular with the Emperor now seen wearing that uniform of his. Even the Queen-Empress herself was seen in a white gown. I believe the fashion trend has gotten into an extremely different taste in such a tiring Era.”
The mother just gently placed her cheek on her hand as she did a light and slow sigh. “We Elves and even the Humans are just mere subjects to the fashion trends the Vampires always set. There’s always something new and so eye-catching coming out of your nation, Duchess.” Hearing this made Elizabeth have a slight grin on her face.
“Of course. We Vampires pride ourselves in luxury. Luxury beyond all, as what is eternity if it's not lived with absolute richness? We’d be no different from the lesser Vampires before us that hid in the night, cowering away at dilapidated castles and manors.” The two, though at the same wavelength, Jackson could easily spot what the Queen was thinking of at the moment.
The daughter on the other hand had gotten a wine bottle. Alana’s eyes lighting up upon seeing the markings on it. “Lady Minuit, is this from your family?” she nods. “Of course. I see that you have a fine eye for wine. That is one of our most expensive bottles.” the lively Elven girl then nods. “Yes! Indeed! Lady Minuit, I must say, this is an extremely great opportunity for me. I cannot thank you enough. I hope I can learn from you.” hearing this, the Countess just gives her a smile and nods. “I do not think I can teach much for someone such as yourself. You seem to carry yourself well enough.”
Jackson though leans into the Countess, tapping her thigh. “Just asking, but in International Dollars. How much is that bottle?”
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“Hmmmm… since that is our top shelf product, the delivery taking weeks to months potentially and the Mercenaries and Privateers I’d have to hire to protect the Wineship alongside the deployment of the Minuit’s Navy. I believe it would be about two million and a half dollars, M’Lord?”
“T-Two million?! Do you accept financing? What’s the monthly amortization for this?” Alana giggled and lightly laughed as she rested her hand on his thigh. “Such are our products, M’Lord. Though we also sell jewelry, we are far known for the wine we make.” The daughter nodded as she gently lowered it to a table. “From what I remember, the Minuit came from a normal Vampire who took his eternity to perfecting drinks, yes?”
With her eyes widened, the Countess openly smiled at the young Elf. “To think the Elves still cared about the education the Vampires gave to you. Yes, our great ancestor was once a normal Vampire incapable of walking out to the light. He took his eternity to make concoctions one can drink and pass time.”
Meanwhile, Jackson and Malik had already gotten acquainted with one another. “But of course, since you are still in school. You have to know the limits of your skills. Do not push things you are not fully sure. Lives are at stake. Leadership comes with a lot of mistakes and some of it will cost lives.” the young cadet nods. “Yes sir. I am hoping that one day, a time will come where I’ll be able to grow and become like my Father.”
With a sigh, the General looks around the room and notices that on the walls were miniature versions of the wings the Elves use to fly, alongside it on the center column was a huge painting of the Elven Air Corps Fleet. On its own personal stand was a Blimp that’s decked out in gold plated armor, with cannons peeking out underneath it. “Ah, that's the first of her kind. The Dreadnaught Class Airship. Father will be the one to command it as his own flagship.” He then veers his eyes on the other decor that plastered the stone and concrete walls of the Mansion.
As he scanned around, Bahamut had gotten herself access to the kitchen, her slim visage taking his attention as she popped out of the counter and had already demanded multiple types of meats and vegetables as she held her arms full of food to eat. “Eh? Just where have you been?”
She just stared at her Master, arms full of meat and kept an empty expression as the entire Elven family shifted their attention to the woman with long vertical horns. “I was looking around, Master.”
The Dragon then arrives in the living room and Sir Trenthaus stands immediately up. “Ahem. My beloved family, please meet a God." Everyone turns to the Humanoid wearing a more loose office outfit. Her long straight black hair flowing by the wind coming through the opened doors as she held a bunch of snacks on her arms. “Hello Long Eared people. I have come from another world and have blessed your cabbards with my nose's great ability to sniff things.”
Malik’s eyes then turned to his dad. Unable to grasp the presence as he held his back and shoulders high and straight. Looking as prim and proper as he possibly could alongside his sister. “Eh? This Human looking person is a… God? Brother, do you believe this?” he didn’t respond, just staring at the Being as if its eyes had gotten grasp of his entirety. “What do you mean by this Father? Is this a jest?”
The Admiral shrugs and puts his hands up on his hips. “No. I am not. My daughter, our esteemed guest for today and if we could, maybe the next day is a Dragon God." The mother quickly got up and started talking to the Maids and Butlers. “G-Get the best cutlery we have, the golden utensils and the ones that we’ve only used once or never and have it blessed by a Gold Birch beforehand.”
The son on the other hand stood up, fixing his uniform and ensemble and promptly bowed his head. “I am pleased to be in the service of a God! The Dragons have long lived in the eyes of us Elves as creatures closest to the Divine. To meet one such as you, I beg of you to spare me from my inadequacies. I am not particularly versed in the culture and traditions of Dragonic Nation.” The Dragon just crossed her arms as she looked at her Master.
All that he was showing as a widened stare and a gesture with his eyes pointing to the family.
Bahamut just makes her tail appear and uses its tip to scratch the back of her head as she uses it to grapple a piece of meat which she then ate without question, making Elizabeth bury her head in her hands. “Erm… thank you? Just treat me normally. I am not here to show off my power or my divinity. I am just another adventurer right now that’s in the service of a Vampire General.” The mother, daughter and son all bowed and nodded. “Of course!” they said it in unison as if it had been practiced before.
Admiral Thydis on the other hand just scoots over to let Bahamut take a seat. “Her name is Bahamut. Dragon God of the Void, a famed God to the Outworlders. In the very flesh. A true living Divine creature far above the Great Elves that walks amongst us.” Jackson then leans forward.
Jackson though, lifts his index finger and shrugs his head. “She’s famous not because many pray to her…” he then remembers seeing artworks of her in the Forums and around the internet as clear as day, even though it would’ve been a few years by now. Even though she only appeared once in her Human form and it was in a ghastly dark gothic gown. The glimpses people got of her face from her movesets made waves on the net and artists made artwork after artwork, bolstering her reputation even more.
“No… actually, scratch that. She’s very well prayed for. But not in the normal way…” Bahamut just tilts her head as she starts eating the spiked acorns she took from their kitchen. “Master, you know I can feel what you feel right? Just what were those artworks of mine you see?” He then straightens his back, not making eye contact with her as he gulped down his soul. “Erm… let’s just say it's very interesting. Though there are some super good ones, there’s also good ones that are more… hmmm… erotic? Let’s leave it at that.”
But oddly enough, he could photographically remember bookmarking many of them in his personal account. Even going as far as saving them and putting them into his Waifu Folder inside his PC’s Local Disk.
Bahamut just facepalms. “Of course. What do I expect from a species whose pastime is playing video games about war. Haaaah… Master, they atleast depict my face correctly, right?'' He just lifts his shoulders and tilts his head. “Idunno. From what I saw, it varies. But they're all equally hot portrayals of you. Though some did go a bit overboard on the horror aspect.” She nodded, eating the acorns even with the shell still on. “Good enough. Though Master, I can still feel what you're feeling, you know and it's very strong.”
“Bahamut, let’s just leave it at that.”
Thydis then turns to his family and then her, bowing his head. “Goddess, please. Tell me how can I become a believer in the Cult of Bahamut.” She then looks around the living room, walking to the ornate decorations of Flying Wings on the walls to the paintings, she shrugged head over and over again.
Going to the vases, with detailed paintings of great ancient battles of the Air Corps against the Demons, Man, and Dwarves. She once again left with a disapproval. Thydis though had his hands together as he tightly watched the Dragon go around the place.
Even when she picked up the model of the new Dreadnought Airship, she just left with a displeasure and went on to check the ceiling and the glass that covered the light string inside a bulb.
Having found nothing, she’d then turn her attention to him. “Make a statue of me. The Bloodsucker knows what I want. She already made one in her Manor. So you should be able to do the same. I don’t require offerings as long as you fight. But anything shiny will do if you want to as just an extra tribute.” The Dragon then moved around as if she owned the very soil they built their mansion upon and ended up sitting down next to Jackson, making Malik avert his gaze from the Goddess.
Thydis though, with a confused face tilts his head and then scratches the back of his skull. “Eh? That-that’s all Goddess? No prayers or anything?” She shrugs. “Fighting for me is a form of prayer. Though there are specific Rituals, it's meant for those truly entombed in the Cult of Bahamut. You don’t need it, right Master? My trusted Dragonlord?” He just looked left and right.
“Me? A Dragonlord?”
“Yes, Master.”
“Did you decide on that just now? On a whim?”
“Yes.”
“Don’t give me more titles than I already have, Bahamut. The responsibility of a Dragonlord is also something I can’t do full time.”
“Eh, who cares. Just be a Dragonlord when you want. You're actually the first person I gave this title to.”
“Oh great, I’m the Dragonlord of the Cult of Bahamut. I’ll have to ask the local Priest in my town if I can do this full time aside from Sunday masses.”
Bahamut though; just crossed her arms and had a grin on her face. “Heh. Master, my style is not like Mars or Albions. I don’t need my Dragonlord to meet with me every weekend. We’re already together anyway.” Facepalming, Jackson’s eyes just had a lazy expression to it as he coupled it with a long hard sigh. “Bahamut, you just can’t hand titles like that.”
“Master, I gave you my Dragonbolt didn’t I? That technically already makes you a Dragonlord of mine.” and with that, he just proceeded to nod. Not adding anymore.
“See? Master doesn’t pray to me but I give him my blessings.” He then flicks his finger and a butler approaches him. “Talk to Lady Minuit later and ask for what is needed. Contact the best sculptor we know in the city and have the stone picked from the best trader. Use my contact from the Stone Builders Guild and the Traders Association.” the Butler nodded and proceeded to take a step back and with magic, the prompt disappeared from their sights. “Then, how about we take a gander at my home? Goddess, do tell me where you want it placed.”
The Dragon stands up, finishing the last spiked acorn and vegetable. “Eh. Sure.” She then nonchalantly starts exploring around ahead of all them. Prompting the Elven family to suddenly get up and follow her. Like a bunch of baby ducklings following their mother.
Jackson and the two Vampires just kept their distance as the Dragon skimmed through the long hallway that leads to the lobby that has a grand arching staircase to the second floor and in between the two stairs was an indoor fountain of Forrus. Her vase and its endless pouring of crystal clear water.
On a stand right below the fountain, encased in a crystal clear glass tomb was a set of Elven Composite Plate Armor. With the segmented parts looking like abs and a full face protection that has the visage of a Mother Tree gilded onto it. The golden branches it has for horns gleamed as the open roof lets the light to perfectly hit it within all times of day.
“W-Woah…” With a flip of a switch, even in his non Human form, Jackson’s eyes sparkled like dew upon basking his sight on the magnificent set of armor. “Ah, that is a family Heirloom. My son Malik will one day wear that set just as I did in my battles and our ancestors' battles.” Thydis then points at the segmented parts of it. “This was melted by the Elven craftsmen that inhabit the North of the Empire. Starforged metal, we used the Gods to make this section.” He then moved his finger to the greaves, the gilded art on it depicts the winged warriors of the Elves diving head first into a fiery hell that connects to the hands.
“This entire section is made from Sunstone.” To Jackson though, he could only shrug as he looked more and more into the armor. “I don’t think I could ever take that set into battle. That’s way too showy. I could only imagine the expenses on repairing it afterward.”
“You don’t have too, General. After a big battle against the Druisvikings in my days as a sailor. This armor was dented heavily by the leader of the Badlands in Angea. It took two years to fully fix it back.”
“T-Two years…”
“Yes… though this is nothing compared to the armor of the Imperial Prince. His entire set is built from Starmetal. It's a more magnificent piece than this one.” He then proceeds up to the staircases that flanks both its sides as the imposing image of Forrus seemingly had a gleaming aura from her.
As many of the statues that Jackson had encountered in Threa, this one was just as elaborately painted as the rest. But what stood out was the fact that the paint used seemingly could refract light to a degree, giving even the inanimate object a seemingly celestial poise.
On the second floor, there were so many rooms that it could even put the Minuit Manor a run for its money. But in the end, Bahamut settles for the attic. The dark and lifeless corner is full of dust. “There, exactly right there.” Thydis with a confused face then bows to her. “Goddess, don’t you want it to be put somewhere bright and clean?” she just shrugs. Shooting down the recommendation without a single thought.
“No. I am a Black Dragon. Though we are Social Creatures, Black and Red Dragons tend to live in solitude. To train our souls and minds to be more resilient.” She then moves some of the heavy looking crates effortlessly and clears out a small area. “No need to put much into it. Just some candles to give it some illumination will do. I don’t really need much in terms of anything Grand. It doesn’t help in keeping things hidden.”
Jackson then intervenes, resting his elbow on her shoulder. “Bahamut, no player will go after the Trenthaus, you know? No need to be so cautious of your followers. I doubt even the people of Forrus could go up against an Admiral.” she sighs and rubs her chin. “Though that is true, Master. I just can’t help but want to keep this hidden. I believe the other Elves are more strict and rigid in their love for Forrus. Isn’t that right, Long ear?”
The Admiral nods. “But they really can’t do much if I decide to pray to another God. No one can replace me in the entire Air Corps. General Jackson’s assessment is correct about my position in the Imperial Military.” She just left with a smile, walking back to the stairs down to the second floor. “Knowing Master and his organization. I believe the Elves aren’t short on cutting talented people for stupid reasons. Now, lead me to an open space. I wanna give you something.”
As they walked through the many halls of the mansion, where there were open roofs everywhere, to let as much light into all of the corners of the building. Malik walks next to Jackson as his Mother and Sister were both busy making sure everything is prim and proper for the Goddess. “General, may I ask.” He then turned his head to the Elf, having the same height as him though more lanky in his posture. The bronze epaulets on his shoulders weren't as impressive as his fathers.
Nor did the medals on his chest were of any note. But his aura alone carried his entire uniform even though it lacked in the decorations of the two magnanimous military figures that’s with the young Elf at the time. “Go ahead.”
“I am sure you are already aware of this. But we of the Elves are deeply concerned by the shipbuilding capacity of the Outworlders. Even though you are far from your actual planet, your people are still building ships.” Malik’s hands were behind his back, his chest puffed out and his chin eye. “Ah, yes. Well, the planning and logistics of these ships has long been planned before we even got here. Believe me, next year. We will have to virtually switch all materials to local ones as we’d run out.”
“But even still, our latest rumor is that an Outworlder Nation named The Rising Sun had restarted the construction of a battleship that could weigh a hundred weight of tunne.”
“Hundred weight?” His eyes squinted as he looked up to the ceiling as they entered a hallway that’s a straight shot to the garden. “M’Lord, that’s a hundred thousand tons in your metrics.”
“Ah… Well it’s not like the Himeji Guild is hiding it. It's just a construction of this crazy project they’ve long wanted to continue. Their original Yamato class was basically a feasibility study for this one.”
“And what is it?”
“They call it the A-150 Design. Supposedly, a Yamato armed with twelve fifty-one inch guns.” Malik didn’t have a reply to say to it while Jackson just looked forward as they entered the back. Thydis opens the ornate glass doors to a beautiful sight of the well kept garden with a pool in the middle though the young Elf just puts his hands up and as if to manually do the math.
“Don’t. It’s about a thousand hundred feet or so long like the Montana Class of the Men of the Woods. A brief thing from our little arms race from back then… Now that I think about it… just where was their original Yamato sitting at?”
Back at the Embassy, the One Star General is scrambling to get their luggage together as he wiped his face at the sight of the Oshkosh truck loaded with crates of gowns. “Just what the hell are those Vampires doing?!”
A soldier then jogged to him and saluted. “Sir, we also need to transfer some paperwork to General Jackson. It concerns his funding of the-” Martinez just raised his finger, silencing the lower ranked grunt. “Any news with the Curiate Assembly? General Jackson just went with Admiral Thydis. I’m sure this has sent tidal waves on the others right?”
The player immediately shrugged. “Sir, no sir. Most news from the Elves is just the usual stuff.” This made the One-Star General shrug his head. “Haaaah… and all of this? The Admiral said nothing to make them stay at his home right?”
His eyes then widened. “Well, I guess that’s why he has four extra stars than I do.”
“Sir?”
“Listen to me, soldier. What General Jackson is doing is something many of us fail to do.”
“Yes, sir.”
“And that is to live with them. We’re all cooped up here in the Embassy afraid of doing something stupid and escalating things while he is out there going head to head with there Culture.” As the other grunts finished loading the truck, he gestured at them, dismissing the soldiers while the one that approached him stayed. “Uhhhh… permission to speak, sir.”
“Speak.”
“Weren’t you one of the first players to make contact with the High Elves?”
“I was. Do you know how?” The soldier then shrugged his head as the One Star General walked to the steps to the front door of the Embassy and sat on it. “I was on a Slave Ship that was from Dragovh…”
Waking up, he finds himself surrounded by chained men as a Privateer with an ornate cutlass pushes through the ragged dress crowd. Wearing a tabard bearing the seal of the Kingdom of Keyneth, the Elf stood up as he shook his head. “Stay away from him or I will cut you down!”
Fully regaining his eyesight, he is dumbfounded to find himself on a sailing ship. Many of the chained people bore tattoos on their bodies as a well dressed man approached him, holding a bronze Chalice. “And who might you be? Our ship does not take free riders, Elf or Human.” With a sharp tone, the wide brimmed hat that has a red feather on it made him stand out from the rest alongside his expression, a stoic and deathly stare.
“I am from Tur!” The man then looked around at the crowd and proceeded to point his finger at the far end of the ship, there a blonde woman with a big stomach that she held with great care sat on the corner. “Former Lady Arnethno. May you inform of me if such a place exists?” The man with her then promptly stood up, with his hand on a fist, he stared back at the man with extreme prejudice. “I will not have you disrespect Lady Arnethno!”
“Pfft. Do you know what you are? Your merchandise to the Elves. Sit down. You are no Knight anymore, you removed that right when you became a slave.” the blonde woman then held his hand, bringing him down as she shrugged her head. “I’ve never heard of such a place, Captain Kinksten.”
“Ah, so if a well educated lady like her does not know of such a place, and even me, a sailor, have never heard of such a land, just what are you?”
“I am a…” he then feels something grabbing the soles of his sabatons. Looking down, he was standing on top of a bunch of grills, inside were more men stuffed inside like sardines. The awful smell then started to hit him, making him move to the sidelines. Moving his head as far back into the sea as possible. “Do not mind them. They have forfeited their rights when they committed murder in the Kingdom.”
But he didn’t reply, he merely stood there, frozen cold as his eyes darted from left to right. “... This is real…” he then started to walk away to the upper deck, the sailors stopping him and making him go around in circles as the Captain proceeded to grab him by the collar.
With a swift reaction time, he dodged the hand. Unsheathing his shortsword and prompting the crew to draw their weapons. “You are… sla-slavers!”
“Slavers? Pfft. We did not enslave anybody. Everyone in this ship has committed a crime or two. Some, unable to pay their debts, voiding their rights as a person to pay it back.”
“E-Even then, what is with this? Where am I? Who are you?”
“We’re mere Privateers hired by the Queen of Meilurous.” Seeing the Elves’ eyes and quick wit, the Captain did not dare to even make a move as he stood completely still. “These people are the ones we bought from prisons and are to be transported to the continent of Geraldia for profit. Are we finished, Mister Elf?”
Seeing the sailors, the player promptly sheaths his sword. Though his eyes were still darting left to right as sweat ran down his spine. “When are you gonna make land?”
“We’re already midway through the trip. As if right now, we’re crossing from the Ocean of Sire Jack to the Ocean of Dread.”
“Ocean of Dread? Who the hell names an ocean like that?”
“It is believed that sea monsters roam this area more frequently than the others. Many merchant ships have gone awry there, never to return to port.”
“L-look, just get me to shore, alright?” He then makes a small cross, opening his player menu where a smile pops up on his face as he could see the Guild chat was there, and it was exploding with confused comments.
Running to the sidelines, he kept to himself as the sailors went back to their duties. The Captain though, approaching him and looking at the odd menu. The strange language was nothing he had seen before and a sword quickly moved up through it and into his chin. “Believe it or not, I have killed before.”
“Dwarves?”
“Humans.”
“Of course. I was just merely curious about this… thing.”
“Don’t. I don’t want anything to do with you people and what you're doing.” Then at the chat, someone pinged everyone. “@everyone I have contacted the Men of the Woods, they said they have ships going around. But without the player map, they have no idea where they are at.'' This made his eyes peak as he jumped to the ropes and climbed to the center of the mast where only a handful people could reach.
Though this was nothing for the Captain, effortlessly reaching him without much tire. “Sir Elf, I believe you must pay your due. We don’t allow free riders.” the player then proceeded to materialize a single gold coin and flipped it to his hand. “Fuck off.”
Tilting his head at the odd expression, the Captain just shrugged and left the Elf to do his own thing.
It was already at night when most of the sailors and the people they’re transporting had fallen asleep did he start to walk around. Freely checking their tattoos and noticing some of them have the same ones, though others have different ones alongside the ones he’d seen before.
With an extremely light step, he lingered around the second floor where even with his skills as an Elf, did he find it challenging to go in and out of.
After two hours of just scouring for any information, he once again finds himself at the deck where he could hear a light hum on the corner.
Following it, he once again finds the blonde lady. Her beautiful pale skin seemed to glow as the Moon and its orbit touched it with glee and the Knight with her, even in his ragged clothes that seemed to be built like a concrete wall. Muscled and with a chiseled jawline, he was already looking at the Elf with his arms crossed.
“Where did you come from?” He looked around and quickly approached them. Crouching down and sitting in front of the two. “I came from Ear- I came from Tur. From an Elven Kingdom where I was a high ranking officer. Can you tell me where I am right now and why are you here?”
Looking at the Elf’s eyes, the Knight raises an eyebrow which quickly returns to normal as he sighed. “You're in a Privateer’s ship heading to the Elven Empire. As of now, we should be crossing into Geraldia’s waters.” understanding absolutely nothing, he nodded immediately in reply. “I am here for my Lady. Her house is in trouble. Her husband, Sir Arnethno has been killed by a bastardous Noble from the Kingdom of James who had taken their land and properties for himself.”
The Elf, left in silence just had a smile to him as he continued to nod as the Lady stopped humming at her stomach. “Sir Ernorst is a loyal Knight on the side of my family. His lineage has long served mine and he carried out his father’s wishes and followed me even into slavery. I cannot thank him enough for this.” The Knight then promptly grabbed her hand softly and shrugged his head. “Nay, Lady Arnethno. It is my duty to be here with you now. I cannot be any more happier to know that I am serving my Lady well even in her most dire of times.”
Hearing all this made the Elf raise his hand and squished his head. His eyes opened wide as he stared at the wooden floor. “Ahahahaha… oh shit… I can’t believe this is actually happening… oh fuck me gringo…” After a brief moment, he once again finds himself and looks up to the two.
“Wait, the Elven Empire?! That means I can stay there right?”
“Sir Elf, may I ask for a name?”
“Y-You can tell me… Agustin… yes! I am an officer from the Kingdom of Keyneth.”
“An officer? Then, Sir Agustin, may I ask if you may buy my Lady? I do not mind if you leave me here. But on my oath to her house, and on behalf of my entire family line. May you please take her to safety?”
“W-Well, about that. You see, my Kingdom. I do not know where it is right now. We are not part of any Empire.” Hearing this made the blonde lady confused as she raised her hand politely. “Excuse me, Sir Agustin.” looking at her, the player couldn’t believe that even in her clothes that seemed more like a sack that’s been repurposed into clothes, her face still looked beautiful.
Even though the environment could not house such an attractive look, she seemed as if she had access to her entire makeup even in their situation. “I believe there are no longer any Elven Kingdoms ever since Emperor Daresh came to power in the Second Era.”
“Se-se-second Era?” This made the Knight and Lady look at one another as her stomach had something reach out, prompting her to go back to humming to it. “She… she has a kid…”
“Yes, Sir Agustin. That is why it's in my utmost duty to make sure she at least reaches a clean house. This is the sole offspring of the Arnethno Household and it must live and thrive to become a leader.”
“Look, I am new here and you are already throwing me a video game level questline… my guy. I wanna go home.”
“We all do, Sir Agustin. Even I wish to bathe in my sauna inside the mansion of my family. To see my Fiance once again and her smile. But I simply cannot do that, as I have a duty here to fulfill.”
“This… this is actually insane.” Standing up, he proceeds to wipe his face as he catches a glimpse of something out of his peripherals. “And someone is already onto me.”
Back at the Embassy’s front steps, Martinez just shaked his head furiously as he wiped his face. “If you only knew how scared I was, Specialist. I was shaking down to my very bones on that entire trip.” the soldier lifted his hands, furiously waving it at random directions. “B-But sir, what happened to Lady Arnethno?!”
“I don’t know… last I saw her. An Elf family from Oceanowa bought her and the Knight.” His head then turned to the soldier, his eyes full of grief and suffering. “This is an Alien world with Alien people and an Alien Culture… I don’t know how General Jackson could be so brazen with his actions. To go this far, to even change his race to Vampire…”
“Permission to speak freely, sir.” The General just slowly returns his head to the previous place he was looking at, the Senate Dome. “You already did that.”
“It’s just that sir, I think he just has something in him that makes him do it.”
“Pfft. That simple? I think he is a loose cannon with a bunch of medals strapped to his chest. But I respect him, I know who he was back on Earth.”